While you are touring in Armenia, let’s take advantage of some of the very traditional food festivals going on in the country – The Armenian Dolma Festival. The festival is a chance to taste sample bites of a variety of Armenian traditional dolma. It aims to popularize and reveal the Armenian national cuisine, which is considered one of the non-material cultural assets of the Armenian nation. You will also witness the presentation of different types of dolma, even the ones that have already been forgotten.

The festival will take place in “Hnaberd”… traditional music, singing, and dances will guarantee a very good mood.

Day 1 - May 15, 2019

Arrival in Yerevan – Transfer to the Hotel. Check – in. Unpack. Rest.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 2 - May 16, 2019

Breakfast served

Yerevan City Tour – Our trip through the territories of Armenia begins today in Yerevan – the capital, one of the most ancient cities in the world – Erebouni Fortress which was founded in 782 BC. We start with the museum of Erebouni to the top of Arin-Berd hill to discover the ancient fortress.

Continuing the city tour, your second stop will be in Tsitsernakaberd memorial and museum to the 1915 Genocide. Today’s mission is to visit the exhibition of the textual and visual documentation, including also artifacts related to the first Genocide of the 20th century and to understand, to learn about or just become better informed about this tragic page of Armenia’s history. You will enjoy a tour of the most enigmatic of cities, visiting the remarkable Matenadaran Library and Research Institute of Armenia with close to 17,000 rare manuscripts, one of the richest depositories of manuscripts and books in the world.

Lunch in Yerevan – Armenian Traditional Restuarant

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 3 - May 17, 2019

Breakfast served

Walking around the Aragatsotn Region, you will capture a church or an ancient structure at every turn. In the village of Oshakan, you will see the wonderful church which is built over the grave of Mesrop Mashtots, the inventor of the Armenian alphabet, and one of the greatest benefactors of the Armenian people. During this day you will see the most beautiful and the highest mountain peaks in Armenia,

Mt. Aragats. You will take part in the traditional Armenian table. Lunch will be provided at a traditional Armenian family’s house.Saghmosavank Monastery perch on the edge of the precipitous gorge of the Kasakh River.

Cultural Performance: which represents the inimitable characteristics of various events, traditions and customs of different regions, as well as national and traditional dance of both Historical Armenia and present day Armenia.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 4 - May 18, 2019

Breakfast served

Visit Lake Sevan – the emerald of Armenia – Sevan Monastery on the peninsula – Dilijan – a piece of Switzerland in Armenia – Earth and sky, woods and fields, rivers, the mountains are excellent schoolmasters, and teach some of us more than we can ever learn otherwise… The old approach in the new century… “Old Town Dilijan” complete with craftsmen workshops, small shops with traditional Armenian products and crafts, museum, showing typical 19th century living with all its local customs and handmade wood furnishings….. Goshavank Monastery /10-13th century/. Lunch in Sevan tasting fresh fish from the Lake

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 5 - May 19, 2019

Breakfast served

The Armenian Dolma Festival

We embark on our journey to the land of ancient treasures of Christian history – At the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin (UNESCO), the “religious capital” and the seat of the Supreme Patriarch-Catholics of all Armenians. Then, admire the Monasteries of Sts. Hripsime andGayane Churches (7th c) dedicated to these faithful virgins, 3rd century followers of Christ who were martyred.

Lunch in one of the educational and cultural centers of Etchmiadzin.

Today we’ll visit the Hnaberd, which is one of the villages in Ararat Province.

The day is very special for the village as well the Armenian Dolma Festivalwill take place here.

Dolma is a traditional Armenian dish made of ground beef, lamb and spices wrapped in grape leaves, cabbage leaves and vegetables. The festival kickes off with a performance by the Sardarapat Dance Ensemble. During the festival many pavilions introduce their varieties of dolma and the jury decided the best dolma maker among the participants of leading restaurants in Armenia and individuals from Yerevan and regions.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 6 - May 20, 2019

Breakfast served

Driving through the fertile plains of the Ararat valley, you will reach Khor Virab Monastery – the beginning of the History of the Christian nation in Armenia, magnificently set against the towering slopes of the Biblical Mountain of Ararat. You have some quite spectacular photo opportunities before a landscape of unparalleled beauty and majesty. The monastery is the site where St. Gregory the Illuminator was incarcerated and is a pilgrimage destination for all Christian believers, as well as having had a determinate impact on the Armenia people and their history.

On the way to Noravank, you will taste and enjoy a guided tour at the famous “Areni Winery.” In Armenian, “Wine is bottled poetry”. After this, take the path through the narrow gorge which reveals the wonder of Noravank Monastery, nestled inside the deep red landscape of these tuf stone mountains.

Lunch nearby Noravank Monastery.

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 7 - May 21, 2019

Breakfast served

This morning we will travel to Garni, the location of the rare pre-Christian pagan temple maintained in Armenia. Later on, we will reach (UNESCO) Geghard (Cave monastery) architectural complex (12-13th centuries), carved out of one monolithic rock. Due to the extraordinary acoustics, when the local monk begins to sing in this chamber it is hard to believe a large choir isn’t singing… be aware it is only one man…

A visit to Geghard is truly a spiritual experience.

And today we have an opportunity to see and to be involved in the process of Lavash making in an Armenian traditional way in “tonir” (special pit for making Armenian Traditional Bread: Lavash) and taste very fresh Armenian bread – lavash. “Eat thy bread with joy” near Geghard Monastery.

Tonight we meet for a Farewell Dinner in a typical Armenian Restaurant with live Armenian music and Folk Dance to celebrate our wonderful journey!

OVERNIGHT IN YEREVAN

Day 8 - May 22, 2019

Breakfast served

CHECK OUT

Transfer to the Airport

Have a safe flight!!!

**Itinerary is subject to change at any time

Services:

Full transportation and transfers in Armenia as specified in itinerary